Computer Glasses?

[Catrin]

I am ordering new glasses tomorrow, and am considering an additional pair of computer glasses. My prescription is, robust, so I won't consider an online source.

My real question is this - for anyone who has neck problems and wears no-line "bifocals" as well as computer glasses, can you tell a difference in how your neck feels after a long day in front of the computer when you wear computer glasses rather than regular no-line "bifocals"?

Thanks in advance, trying to decide if it would be worth the extra money,

[Irulan]

I have a set of computer/work bifocals (monitor/closer) and a set of regular bifocals (reading/driving). Both of them are progressives with no lines. . It's not a matter of my neck position, it's a matter of headaches from my eyes straining, if I don't wear the computer glasses. It's gotten so I can't/won't/don't use the computer with my regular bifocals.

For neck strain, what helped me the most was to set my monitor correctly based on OSHA recommendations for viewing.

[Hi Ho Silver]

I wear regular bifocals (versus "no-line" bifocals) and the use of computer glasses has helped my neck immensely. I find that the computer glasses are also handy for doing various work around the house when the distance to the thing(s) I'm focusing on is about the same distance as from my head to the computer screen.

[Catrin]

Thanks! My problem is that even with the monitor at the proper height I still have to tip my head back a bit. I save 30% if I order them tomorrow, but I might wait and see how the new glasses work. It's possible my current frames are warped just enough to make it difficult to use the intermediate range of my lenses without tilting my head.

[SadieKate]

I'm not sure what difference "no line" makes as that is simply an aesthetic enhancement.

When the optician sets up the order, she should ask you where the line (visible or not) should be based on your lifestyle and use, plus the frame. My glasses are very narrow top to bottom so placement of that line was critical. For reading in bed or knitting, it's perfect. It sucks for the computer which is not only at a different height, it's also farther from my face. The optician should ask you all these questions, even down to going home and measuring the distance from your face to the monitor.

Therefore, computer-specific glasses were the way to go for me. Each one of us may be different.

[Catrin]

"No line" bifocals are quite different. There is a graduation of intermediate distance vision that makes them closer to trifocals than true bifocals. There is no Sharp division between close and far vision which is quite nice :)

[SadieKate]

That probably depends on the amount of acreage you have to work with. My opticians have told me there is no truly usable space on small lenses.

Trying to focus using any miniscule space there might be could be the cause of the neck problems.

[radacrider]

Yep, my progressives (regular and computer/work) require a reasonbly sized lens, so I cannot use those skinnier, fashionable ones. My monitors are also nearly on the desk (24" monitors), so I minimize tilting upward.

That set up befuddles our ergo folks, but is required so I don't have neck/shoulder issues. My chiro totally supports this.

[Catrin]

Yep, my progressives (regular and computer/work) require a reasonbly sized lens, so I cannot use those skinnier, fashionable ones. My monitors are also nearly on the desk (24" monitors), so I minimize tilting upward.

That set up befuddles our ergo folks, but is required so I don't have neck/shoulder issues. My chiro totally supports this.

My lenses aren't too large, but large enough for the progressives and they look fine - that is all I ask of them :) I like the idea of the computer lenses. It is good to hear they have been helpful for those who have tried them, I will make my mind up in the morning :)

[goldfinch]

I use computer glasses and reading glasses all the time when I am spending any significant time at either. Otherwise, it is the progressive lenses. It does make a difference in my neck because my posture is not forced into something uncomfortable for me.

You might at least give a shot at the online source since you can spend less than $15.00 for single vision glasses. Not much to lose. I have a squirrelly prescription and my online single vision glasses work just fine.

[Catrin]

The computer glasses I am considering has a small bit of far vision at the top of the lens and a small amount of reading at the bottom, most of it is intermediate. I do like the idea of being able to see who walks into my office and to be able to look at printed reference material while I am working. I can't do all of that with single vision glasses...and I can't read without my glasses without getting a headache.

I can't drive with them but that isn't a concern since they won't be my primary glasses.

[Irulan]

I get my glasses done at Costco and have been very satisfied. The pricing is great, but most importantly, if the lens they make for me doesn't work for whatever reason, they have an unconditional guarantee.

[GLC1968]

When you first posted this, I didn't really know what computer glasses were. Then I had my eye appointment yesterday afternoon. I now have progressives (I was just a reading glasses gal for the past 4 years). Damn this aging thing! :(

I kept a pair of my existing reading glasses (which are no longer quite strong enough for normal reading except in bright light) for my "computer glasses". I'll only use them in the office though. The rest of the time, I'm either on a laptop or a notebook, so I'll be needing the new reading glass Rx in those situations anyway (about 25% of my work time).

[Catrin]

I've had my appointment, and went ahead and bought a new pair of computer glasses to go along with my progressives. They had a nice package price for the computer and gave me a deep discount for purchasing two pairs of glasses. I am satisfied, and I've a 45 day period in which to return or exchange them if I don't like them. I think my neck is really going to love me for this!

In years past I've gone less expensive routes, like Costco and Walmart and never really had a good experience with that. I am glad to hear it has worked for others :)

[Catrin]

I kept a pair of my existing reading glasses (which are no longer quite strong enough for normal reading except in bright light) for my "computer glasses"...

Reading glasses are meant for closer distances than your computer screen, so I wonder if this might give you some eye fatigue. If they aren't strong enough for normal reading which is closer to your eyes than the computer...I thought about doing this as well, getting a strong pair of reading glasses.

My current progressives, and all the other progressive lenses I've had over the years have actually been fine for use with my computer - until about 6 months ago. The neck injury just pushed raised it up a couple of notches, which is why I chose to go this route. You may well find your new progressives will work fine for computer work.

[GLC1968]

Reading glasses are meant for closer distances than your computer screen, so I wonder if this might give you some eye fatigue. If they aren't strong enough for normal reading which is closer to your eyes than the computer...I thought about doing this as well, getting a strong pair of reading glasses.

My current progressives, and all the other progressive lenses I've had over the years have actually been fine for use with my computer - until about 6 months ago. The neck injury just pushed raised it up a couple of notches, which is why I chose to go this route. You may well find your new progressives will work fine for computer work.

Yeah, we talked about it. Turns out, my Rx is changing pretty drastically right now and the reading glasses are now about the right distance for my computer, according to my doc. It was actually his suggestion!

I think the progressives might be fine for the computer, too. At this point, the older reading ones are really just looking for some way to be useful because I cannot afford to put my progressive Rx in two frames! Those lenses are crazy expensive! :eek:

[Catrin]

Sweet that it worked out that way!

Yes, the cost of progressives is a sticker shock over single-vision glasses, but I wouldn't give them up for anything. I did try regular bi-focals once and hated them - I just couldn't adjust to that line and sharp demarcation between distances.

They do have different types of progressive lenses (deals with the percentages of the lens devoted to far, intermediate and reading distances), some are more complex and expensive than others. My choice of getting the "standard premium" progressive design + dedicated computer glasses was actually less than just than getting the "special premium" progressives + no computer glasses...

Good luck to both of us!


Yeah, we talked about it. Turns out, my Rx is changing pretty drastically right now and the reading glasses are now about the right distance for my computer, according to my doc. It was actually his suggestion!

I think the progressives might be fine for the computer, too. At this point, the older reading ones are really just looking for some way to be useful because I cannot afford to put my progressive Rx in two frames! Those lenses are crazy expensive! :eek:

[malkin]

I too use readers that I have 'outgrown' for the computer.

Bifocals at the computer set my neck and shoulder complaining---of course, not immediately, but hours later when the damage has been done.